Luka Dončić Overcomes Rust, Injury Scare to Lead Mavericks with Game-Sealing Three: ‘That’s All That Matters’
Luka Dončić battles through early-season rust and an injury scare to hit a game-sealing three, leading the Mavericks to a 120-114 win over the Timberwolves.
MINNEAPOLIS — Luka Dončić may be shaking off some preseason rust, but his ability to deliver in high-stakes moments is as sharp as ever. Despite shooting struggles and a second-quarter injury scare, Dončić hit a game-sealing three-pointer in the final minute, lifting the Dallas Mavericks to a 120-114 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Dončić finished the game shooting 10-of-27 from the field and 1-of-8 from beyond the arc, with his lone three-pointer coming at the most crucial moment. After missing his first seven attempts from deep, Dončić finally connected with a 33-foot three-pointer over Nickeil Alexander-Walker, sealing the game in the final minute. Despite the early misses, Dončić’s confidence never wavered as he took and made the decisive shot.
After a historic season in 2023-24, where he averaged 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds, Dončić has been working his way back to form. He’s currently averaging 26.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists on a below-average 36.4% shooting from the field and 26.8% from three. Still, Dončić’s competitive spirit was on full display in Minnesota as he found a way to make his impact felt in the game’s biggest moments.
Working Through Rust and Rhythm
Early in the second quarter, Dončić’s night took a worrying turn when he collided with Jaden McDaniels, taking an inadvertent knee to the back of his right leg. Grimacing, he limped to the locker room, leaving the Mavericks’ bench and fans concerned about his return. But Dončić emerged for the second half, visibly ready to grind out a win despite his shooting woes.
The content below was originally paywalled.
“Yeah, just got a little scared—a lot of injuries happening,” Dončić said. “I felt a little something, but I was fine pretty soon after. Somebody hit me from behind, and my knee went forward. Not a good feeling at all.”
Although his three-point shot was off—he missed his first seven attempts from distance—Dončić stayed engaged, working to create for his teammates and crashing the boards. After a career season in which he led the NBA in scoring, his court vision and composure to stay aggressive were enough to keep Dallas steady.
Setting Up the Dagger
As the game drew close, Dallas clung to a slim lead with just over a minute remaining. The Mavericks ran a play that began with a Delay handoff from Dereck Lively II to Dončić, followed by a screen from Klay Thompson, which forced Minnesota to switch defenders, drawing Nickeil Alexander-Walker into the action.
After driving to the right sideline and being cut off, Dončić maintained control, dribbling between his legs to create space as he shifted left. With the shot clock winding down, he took a calm step back from 33 feet and launched the high-arcing three-pointer over Alexander-Walker. The shot dropped cleanly, extending Dallas’s lead to eight points and silencing the Target Center crowd.
“I don’t know how I make those shots sometimes and not the normal ones,” Dončić joked afterward. “At the end of the day, I just needed to find my rhythm. I didn’t play the whole preseason, so I need some rest. But we got the win, and that’s all that matters.”
Irving’s Support and Team Resilience
While Dončić’s final shot was the highlight, Kyrie Irving’s 35 points on 13-of-23 shooting were pivotal in keeping the Mavericks in control throughout the game. He scored 25 of his 35 points in the second half, with 16 coming in the third quarter.
Irving praised Dončić’s ability to rise to the occasion, saying, “We all expected that one to go in. Those are the types of shots he takes, especially late in the game—even if he’s not shooting well, you know how competitive he is.”
Head coach Jason Kidd, too, appreciated Dončić’s resilience, noting, “He hadn’t shot the ball well—maybe not to his standards—but he found a way. When it comes to competition, there’s no one better. He loves the opportunity to win the game and stepped up to make a big shot.”
Dallas’s defense also played a key role, forcing Minnesota into 20 turnovers and capitalizing with 25 points off those mistakes. P.J. Washington delivered 17 points and 8 rebounds, including 4 offensive boards that fueled a 23-16 second-chance point advantage. Washington’s work on the glass contributed to Dallas’s 52-38 edge in points in the paint. Meanwhile, Lively added 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block, anchoring the defense with his presence inside and preventing Minnesota from gaining control near the basket.
Thompson contributed 7 points, 1 assist, and 1 block. He used his shooting gravity and rotations to open lanes for Dončić and Irving, helping Dallas maintain momentum in the closing moments.
Looking Ahead
As Dončić continues to work through the early-season rust, the Mavericks are focused on building chemistry and fine-tuning their play. With a 3-1 record, Dallas heads home for a five-game stretch, starting with the Houston Rockets on Thursday. Dončić, while acknowledging his current challenges, sees promising growth.
“We trust each other; everybody’s helping each other,” Dončić said. “I think our defense and finishing game are looking good, but we still have a lot of improvement left.”
Support Dallas Hoops Journal
As an independent Dallas Mavericks reporter, it helps when you sign up for a premium membership to read my most in-depth content. The cost is regularly $10 per month or $100 annually, but take advantage of a 20% discount for an annual subscription to celebrate the new season.
Follow on Other Platforms
For more Mavs, NBA, and WNBA coverage, follow Grant Afseth on X, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube for content throughout the 2024-25 season.
